UCAT flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

True in Verbal Reasoning

The passage explicitly states or directly implies the statement. Outside knowledge and personal opinion must never be used to decide between True, False and Can't Tell.

Can't Tell option

Applied when the passage neither confirms nor contradicts the statement. The information is simply absent, so real-world plausibility does not justify answering True or False.

Verbal Reasoning timing

The subtest contains 44 questions to be answered in 21 minutes, split into 11 passages of four questions each, averaging about 29 seconds per question.

Keyword scanning technique

Locate a distinctive stem word such as a name, number or date in the passage first, then read only the surrounding sentences before comparing the four options.

Extreme qualifiers in options

Words such as only, all, never and always make a claim harder to support, so options containing them are usually False or Can't Tell unless explicitly echoed by the passage.

Author attitude questions

These are answered from evaluative adjectives and adverbs plus concession words such as although, admittedly and yet, which reveal whether the writer approves, doubts or criticises.

Percentage versus absolute number

A larger percentage in one group does not mean a larger count. Check the base size (denominator) before choosing an option that compares quantities.

Partially supported option rule

An option that is factually true according to the passage but does not answer the specific question asked, or only partly answers it, is incorrect.

'Some' statement rules

'Some A are B' converts to 'Some B are A', but never supports 'Some A are not B' or 'No A are B'. It also cannot prove that overlap is incomplete.

Contrapositive of 'All'

'All A are B' is equivalent to 'No non-B is A', which is a valid deduction. The reverse, 'All B are A', is invalid and is a common trap.

Syllogism validity test

A conclusion is correct only if it must hold in every possible arrangement of the sets. Finding a single counter-example drawing makes the conclusion invalid.

Assumption in an argument

An unstated premise the argument needs in order to work. Negate the candidate assumption: if the conclusion then collapses, it was genuinely assumed.

Strengthen an argument

The correct option raises belief in the conclusion, usually by supporting the link between the stated evidence and the conclusion rather than merely repeating the evidence.

'At least one' probability

P(at least one) equals 1 minus P(none). For independent events, P(none) is the product of the individual failure probabilities.

Two-set Venn formula

Total equals A plus B minus both plus neither. Rearranged, the overlap 'both' equals A plus B plus neither minus the total.

Decision Making format

29 questions in 31 minutes, roughly 64 seconds each, covering syllogisms, logic puzzles, probability, arguments, statistics and recognising information. A calculator is provided.

Decision Making partial credit

Some question types, notably syllogisms with five conclusions, award credit for each correct response, so attempt every option rather than leaving the item incomplete.

Percentage change formula

Percentage change equals (new value minus old value) divided by the old value, multiplied by 100. Always divide by the original, not the new, value.

Successive percentage multipliers

Convert each change to a multiplier and multiply in sequence: a 20% rise then a 15% fall gives 1.20 times 0.85, a net 2% increase, not 5%.

Combined work rate

For two workers, 1 divided by total time equals 1 divided by t₁ plus 1 divided by t₂. The joint time is always shorter than either individual time.

Weighted average rule

When group sizes differ, the overall average is the sum of all values divided by the total count, not the simple mean of the two group averages.

Ratio share calculation

For a ratio a to b, total parts equal a plus b. Value per part is total divided by total parts, and each share is its parts multiplied by that value.

Speed distance time

Speed equals distance divided by time. Convert units before calculating, for example dividing a speed in km/h by 3.6 to obtain metres per second.

Quantitative Reasoning format

36 questions in 24 minutes, about 40 seconds each, answered using an on-screen calculator. Question sets are drawn from tables, charts and numerical scenarios.

Estimation before calculation

Round the figures, compute an approximate answer, and eliminate options. Precise calculation is only needed when two remaining options are close together.

Appropriateness rating scale

Used in Situational Judgement Part 1 with four points: very appropriate, appropriate, inappropriate, very inappropriate. Each response option in a set is rated independently.

Importance rating scale

Used in Situational Judgement Part 2 with four points: very important, important, not very important, not at all important, applied to factors relevant to the scenario.

Part 3 selection format

From eight response options, select the three most and three least appropriate. Each correct selection earns credit, so all six choices matter.

Patient safety priority

Immediate risk to patient safety outranks protocol, politeness and efficiency. Act within your stated role and escalate quickly to an appropriate senior.

Concerns about a colleague

Patient safety overrides loyalty. Raise the issue directly with the colleague where safe, or report it to a supervisor, rather than covering for them.

Confidentiality exceptions

Information may be shared without consent where there is a serious risk of harm to the patient or others, or where disclosure is required by law.

Duty of candour

When an error harms a patient, acknowledge it honestly, apologise and explain, then report it to a senior or the relevant clinical team.

Role assumption in scenarios

Answer as the person named in the scenario, such as a medical student or foundation doctor. Choosing actions beyond that role's competence is scored as inappropriate.